Burlingame · San Mateo County

Mills Estate

Mills Estate is a planned mid-twentieth-century neighborhood in the northwestern corner of Burlingame, with consistent ranch-era architecture and walkable cul-de-sac streets.

Median Sale
$3,280,000
March 2026 · 19 closings

Mills Estate Real Estate Market Snapshot

Median Sale Price
$3,280,000
+9.9% vs prior-year median
Avg. Days on Market
21
% List Price Received
108%
Months of Inventory
0.9
Homes Sold (March 2026)
19
Median price trend
2025 · $2,985,000 March 2026 · $3,280,000
List-price received
108%
90%100%120%+

As of March 2026 · Source: SAMCAR/MLSListings

Living in Mills Estate

Mills Estate is a planned mid-twentieth-century pocket in the northwestern corner of Burlingame near the Millbrae border, developed as a tract neighborhood with winding streets, cul-de-sacs, and consistent ranch-era architecture. Lots typically run 5,000-7,000 square feet, smaller and more uniform than Easton Addition's heritage-tree blocks or Burlingame Hills' larger hillside parcels (City of Burlingame). The pocket reads as quieter and more residential-only than walkable downtown-adjacent neighborhoods, with retail concentrated along Broadway and El Camino Real rather than within the tract itself. For broader city context, see the Burlingame overview.

Mills Estate sits within the same regulatory frame as the rest of Burlingame: the city's 1975 Heritage Tree Ordinance applies citywide, Planning Commission Design Review applies to most second-story additions and new construction, and homes feed into Burlingame School District for K-8 and Burlingame High in San Mateo Union HSD for 9-12 (City of Burlingame; Burlingame School District). What sets the pocket apart from Easton or Ray Park is price band rather than rules: tighter lots, a more uniform housing stock, and a less central walk score keep Mills Estate among the more accessible single-family entry points within city limits.

Schools

Mills Estate feeds into Burlingame School District (K-8), which operates six elementary schools and Burlingame Intermediate School. Specific elementary attendance within the pocket maps by address, so buyers should confirm assignment with the district before committing. High school students attend Burlingame High in San Mateo Union HSD (Burlingame School District; San Mateo Union HSD). Private alternatives in the area include Mercy High School and Notre Dame de Namur University Lab School. Families targeting a particular elementary often verify boundaries by parcel.

Lifestyle

Daily life in Mills Estate is neighborhood-scaled: cul-de-sac streets, mid-century ranch frontages, and a residential-only feel without the through-traffic of downtown-adjacent pockets. The neighborhood sits a short drive from Broadway's retail corridor and Burlingame Avenue's restaurants, and is closer to the SFO-side commercial fringe than to the Easton heritage tree groves designated in 1976 (City of Burlingame). Mature street trees within Mills Estate remain protected under the citywide Heritage Tree Ordinance, which limits removal of any distinctive tree.

Commute

Mills Estate's northwestern position puts it among the closest Burlingame pockets to San Francisco International Airport, typically a 5-10 minute drive depending on access route. Millbrae BART/Caltrain station sits just over the city line and offers BART service to San Francisco and the East Bay plus Caltrain to Silicon Valley. Highway 101 access is via Broadway or Millbrae Avenue; Interstate 280 sits to the west. Burlingame Caltrain in the downtown core is roughly five minutes by car for residents commuting south to the Peninsula tech corridor.

Market

The Mills Estate Market Right Now

Mills Estate does not report separately from Burlingame in MLS data, so pricing here tracks the city's broader Single-Family numbers. March 2026 closed 19 SFR transactions citywide at a median of $3,280,000, with homes averaging 21 days on market and selling at 108% of list price, against a 2025 annual median of $2,985,000 and 22-day average DOM (SAMCAR via MLSListings). Within that range, Mills Estate tends to sit in the lower and middle bands of the Burlingame market rather than the upper tier concentrated in Easton Addition and Burlingame Hills, since lots are smaller and the housing stock is more uniformly mid-century ranch. Buyers underwriting here typically map to families and first-time Burlingame entrants prioritizing district access over lot size or architectural pedigree.
Transactions

What Buyers and Sellers Should Know About Mills Estate

Any planned changes to lots in Mills Estate engage Burlingame's Heritage Tree Ordinance, in force citywide since 1975, which makes it illegal to harm distinctive trees defined by diameter, age, rarity, or historical significance; removal triggers in-lieu fees (City of Burlingame Heritage Tree Ordinance). Sellers contemplating tree work before listing should secure permits well in advance. New construction, second-story additions, and most substantial remodels go through Burlingame Planning Commission Design Review prior to building permit issuance (City of Burlingame Planning Commission). San Mateo County's documentary transfer tax of $1.10 per $1,000 of consideration applies at recording; Burlingame imposes no additional municipal transfer tax beyond the county base (San Mateo County Assessor-Clerk-Recorder). Mid-century ranches in the pocket frequently carry original galvanized supply lines, original electrical panels, and aging sewer laterals, so pre-listing inspection on the main systems often shortens negotiation.
Field Notes

Market Notes by Lisa M. Lum

Activity in Mills Estate through early 2026 has reflected the broader Burlingame pattern: tight days-on-market when listings come prepared, with buyer attention focused on school district assignment by parcel, deferred-maintenance inspection items, and any prior unpermitted additions or tree work. Recent transactions in the pocket suggest that pre-listing sewer-lateral compliance, clean Planning Department records, and resolved heritage-tree status meaningfully shorten negotiation cycles, while parcels with open permit issues tend to draw narrower buyer pools and longer escrows.

Updated 2026-05-05

Frequently Asked Questions about Mills Estate

Where is Mills Estate within Burlingame?
Mills Estate is in the northwestern corner of Burlingame near the Millbrae border, developed as a planned mid-twentieth-century tract with winding streets and cul-de-sacs. Lots typically run 5,000-7,000 square feet, smaller than Easton Addition or Burlingame Hills.
Which schools serve Mills Estate?
Mills Estate feeds into Burlingame School District (K-8) for elementary and intermediate, with high school students attending Burlingame High in San Mateo Union HSD. Specific elementary assignment maps by address, so buyers should confirm boundaries with the district.
How does Mills Estate compare on price to Easton Addition or Burlingame Hills?
Mills Estate generally trades in the lower and middle bands of the Burlingame range. Easton Addition and Burlingame Hills concentrate the upper end, with larger lots, heritage tree canopy, or hillside parcels driving higher pricing per the city's broader market data.
Are trees in Mills Estate legally protected?
Yes. Burlingame's Heritage Tree Ordinance has been in force citywide since 1975 and protects distinctive trees by diameter, age, rarity, or historical significance. Removal requires city authorization and triggers in-lieu fees per the City of Burlingame.
Is Mills Estate close to SFO and BART?
Yes. Mills Estate's northwestern position puts it among the closest Burlingame pockets to San Francisco International Airport (typically a 5-10 minute drive) and Millbrae BART/Caltrain station, which sits just over the city line.
What is the transfer tax in Mills Estate, San Mateo County?
San Mateo County charges a base transfer tax of $1.10 per $1,000 of consideration, paid by the seller at close. Some cities add a local supplemental tax. Mills Estate does not impose an additional municipal transfer tax beyond the county base.
Does Mills Estate require a sewer lateral inspection at sale?
Several San Mateo County jurisdictions require a private sewer lateral compliance certificate before close of escrow. The requirement varies by city — confirm with your transaction coordinator early in the listing process.
What disclosures are required when selling a home in Mills Estate?
California requires Transfer Disclosure Statement, Natural Hazard Disclosure, lead-based paint (pre-1978), water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarm certifications. San Mateo County properties may also require sewer lateral compliance and local supplemental disclosures.
What is the difference between median and average home price in Mills Estate?
Median price is the middle number when all sale prices are sorted — half of homes sold above, half below. It resists distortion from a few very expensive sales. Average price is the arithmetic mean and can be skewed upward by individual high-end transactions. Median is the more reliable indicator of typical Mills Estate home pricing.

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Last updated 2026-05-06 · By Lisa M. Lum, Realtor® · Coldwell Banker Realty · DRE 02005150